Riley and her four friends had made their ways down to the lake. Riley's friends were already down there and so was Ben.

"Riley, did you write that poem?" Riley had asked

"Yeah, I started writing it a while ago. I just was never really able to finish it. Plus I didn't think that it was very good." Riley said as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Why? Why did you never think that nothing you ever did was not good enough?" Maya asked her friend. She had been wanting to ask this for weeks now. Trying to figure out why her incredible friend was never able to see how amazing she was.

"Well, I just never had a thing. You know? Like you have your art, your music, and being cool. Lucas is Mr. Prefect, Farkle is so smart, and ZAY well everyone likes him. He is good at dance and with a lot of the sports that he plays. And me the only time I ever really wanted to do something, no one thought that I could do it. if it hadn't been for my persistence and a great cheer squad I never would have made the team." Riley started. "I guess I just never thought that I was really all that good at something, and I didn't want to tell anyone. What if it was true you know?"

"Riley… you are an amazing person, and I need you to hear me now. I will support you forever, and I will always back you. I still regret not supporting you on day one of those try outs. You have come so very far in the last few months. And from what I have seen so far, you are amazing. You are doing so well, with so many things. I hope that you keep putting yourself out there because you are blossoming." Maya said as she stopped Riley and pulled her into a hug.

"Thanks peaches." Riley whispered

"Hey what is with all the hugs and sweetness, sugars?" Zay asked

"Nothing, just some long needed girl talk." Riley said as she pulled away from Maya and continued to lead the group of friends to the lake. "so I think that you are all going to like the lake. We all just go to relax, and have fun. We can do pretty much anything. Usually the guys do a lot of swimming and are in the lake. Us girls just soak up the sun, and talk. Sometimes we hit the lake but usually that is because one of the guys drags us into it." Riley giggled. As she said this the lake came into view. It was very pretty and the gang could understand why she liked it so much. There was a little group off to the side of the lake with Ben in the center with his guitar in hand while he played. As they got closer they could hear the song he was playing.

She said it's cold outside and she hands me my raincoat
She's always worried about things like that
She said it's all gonna end and it might as well be my fault
And she only sleeps when it's raining
And she screams and her voice is strained
And

She says baby
It's 3 am I must be lonely
When she says baby
Well I can't help but be scared of it all sometimes
The rain's gonna wash away I believe it

She's got a little bit of something, God it's better than nothing
And in her color portrait world she believes that she's got it all
She swears the moon don't hang quite as high as it used to
And she only sleeps when it's raining
And she screams and her voice is strained...
And

She says baby
It's 3 am I must be lonely
Well heaven she says baby
Well I can't help but be scared of it all sometimes
Says the rain's gonna wash away I believe it

She believes that life is made up of all that you're used to
And the clock on the wall has been stuck at three for days, and days
She thinks that happiness is a mat that sits on her doorway
But outside it's stopped raining

She says baby
It's 3 am I must be lonely
Well heaven she says baby
Well I can't help but be scared of it all sometimes
Says the rain's gonna wash away I believe it

Well it's 3 am I must be lonely
Well heaven she says baby
Well I can't help but be scared of it all sometimes

The five friends got to the rest of the crows around Ben. Even though no one had said it Ben really was good. Towards the end of the song Ben looked up and was singing to her and seemed to be far happier. Even though Lucas hated seeing the girl he really liked with another guy he had to admit that he wasn't a bad guy. He seemed to really like Riley and he seemed to be a good guy. The worst and best part was that he could tell that she was really starting to like him too. She seemed happy. She seemed to be doing really well here. She seemed more confident, and he could see her talent. Talent that he had never known that she possessed. He kind of hated that the first person that really got to see all of this amazing talent and life in Riley was the guy that was looking at her like she was the sun. As he was thinking this Riley walked towards Ben and put her arms around him. She gave him a quick kiss on the lips and then whispered something in his ear that made him smile. He handed off his guitar to some guy that looked vaguely familiar and he started to sing, while the happy couple walked towards the group.

"Hello again everyone, so how did my girl do with her poem?' Ben asked as he wrapped his arm around Riley and held her close to his side.

"Her poem was very moving, kind of hauntingly beautiful." Farkle spoke up, while he was trying to study how Ben was looking at Riley. Making sure that this stranger was enough to be with Riley.

"I wouldn't say hauntingly beautiful Farkle, I would go with just Beautiful." Zay had said.

"It kind of made me sad you know, like you were alone, but not alone." Maya started. "I know that you said that you started writing it a long time ago, but when did you start it?" Maya asked

"Umm right around that time that I was getting those messages. I started writing a lot to express how I was feeling." Riley answered

"Why write them down instead of talking about it to us about what was going on with you?" Farkle asked her. She made him talk about his bullying when it was an issue for him back in the seventh grade. While it was not the most comfortable thing that happened. He felt better about it and himself after that.

"Well at first I didn't want to talk about it since what the bully was saying made me wonder if I was good enough you know? I started to doubt myself, and when the whole cheerleading thing happened it made me doubt myself more. I guess I didn't want to talk about it because I was worried that the bully was right. That's the main reason that I wanted to come here. I wanted a unbiased opinion on what I was doing. Someone that would be completely honest with me about what I was doing and if it was any good or not." As riley was explaining this Ben squeezed her a little closer to himself. Everyone could tell that Riley was a little worked up when talking about it and that simple action that Ben did helped to comfort her.

"Riley you know that we will always believe in you." Farkle said

"Yea you are the ray of sunshine on our little group of course we will always believe in what you are doing." Zay said

"Yea Riles" Maya added

"I know guys but what if you just told me I was good or okay and in reality I wasn't. I wanted someone that did not have to be nice about what I was doing who could be honest without worrying about if what they said would hurt my feelings." Riley explained "I know that you are here for me always, I never doubted that but could you tell me I sucked, and could you believe in me at the same time? That is what I doubted."

Riley noticed that during the whole exchange Lucas was just looking at her not saying anything. Lucas was so quiet and it was bothering her. Granted the last few months he had given her the silent treatment but why did he come if he was going to just be quiet?

"Well I guess that makes sense Riley." The group agreed

"So are you ever going to introduce us to your friends Ray or are you all just going to stay secluded." A girl with red hair asked. At that statement Riley jumped and started introducing everyone. Mitch and Emma the couple that they had road tripped with to New York for that exhibit. Then there were others, Riley's other roommates and many more. In all they were introduced to about twelve new people. The gang could tell that they were all very close, and that they were great friends. After the introductions the guys started to get restless and they all Farkle, Lucas, and Zay decided to join with some fun in the lake. While the girls stayed behind to have some girl talk. Riley, Maya and the rest of the girls decided to lose the layers and to sun bathe in their swim suits. Maya was astonished when she saw Riley. She was never fat; she was always skinny but now Riley had muscles. She was very toned, and on her way to a six pack. Riley was wearing a purple bikini with fuchsia flowers on it. Her hair was down and she looked so cool with that and her long brown hair with purple in it. She looked amazing. Maya was just wearing a white one piece that had holes in it that looked like lace. Both girls looked great but Riley really looked great.

"Wow Riles look at you, you look amazing, those boxing classes are definitely paying off." Maya exclaimed.

"Thanks Maya, I love your swimsuit." Riley said. Maya smiled and they both laid down so that they could get a little bit of a tan.

"I definitely needed some sun Riles" Maya started "We all know that I have the whitest legs in all of mankind." Maya kidded. Riley just laughed "So how are you and Ben doing, what is he like, give me all of the details."

"Well we are doing great, I really like him Maya. He is so caring and kind, he would do anything for his friends. As you can tell he works out and is very athletic so we go on runs together and we go to the gym to practice our moves for boxing. He was a great voice, and he is so smart. He is like perfect but not at the same time and I love it. He understands me and has been helping me with being okay with my bullying. He was bullied too, which is so hard for me to comprehend because he is just amazing. He listens to me, without always trying to fix me or change my mind. He just sits there and listens, he hugs me when I need it. He is great Maya, really. I just can't believe that we met each other, and I am so happy that we will be in the same high school this year so that we don't have to do the whole long distance thing. And Mitch and Emma will be there too. High School is going to be great." Riley started to ramble but it was cute. Maya realized that as much as her friend has changed she was still the same girl too.

Maya was worried that Riley had changed so much that they would not have anything in common, that they might not be best friends anymore or worse that they would not be sisters like they were before. Maya realized that while Riley changed that she was also very much so the same. That while she was getting older and changing that it was okay because they were going to grow up.

"That is great Riley, I am happy that you found someone." Maya said

"Thanks Maya, what about you, any guys catching your eye in NYC?" Riley asked.

"You know that the only guy that has really caught my eye is your uncle and he has made it clear that nothing will ever happen." Maya replied sadly.

"You never know high school could change all that. I mean think about it, it does sound off if a high schooler is dating a middle schooler. So as we get older maybe he will rethink that 3 year thing. Plus who knows we are going to be meeting so many new people this year maybe you will find someone to replace my uncle. I know that Ben plays football, maybe we could see if he has any single, and hot friends?"

"I don't know Riley"

"All I am saying is I think that you need to make sure that you are keeping an open mind." Riley stated.

"Okay I will keep an open mind, I swear."

"Ring power?" Riley asked

"Ring power" Maya replied. She was so happy that Riley had said that. She was still her best friend, she really was.

While the girls were having their girl talk the guys were horsing around in the lake. Riley looked over and caught Ben's eye while before she went to lay on her back. Anyone could tell that they really loved and cared for each other. It was disappointing for Lucas, he thought that he would be able to come and sweep Riley off her feet. He realized that his plan would never work.

"WOW Riley… You are a very lucky guy, Riley is amazing. Look at her, I think she could take one of us now in a fight." Mitch said.

"I know she is one of a kind. She really is amazing, and fast. Did I tell you that she beat me the other day when we went on a run? She was so fast that I think she should try out for cross country for the high school." Ben said

"I think she was going to try out for cheerleading?" Farkle asked

"Oh she is, and she is going to make the team for sure maybe even varsity, but you are allowed to play two sports at once. And they never have any other games on football game days. So both would not overlap each other." Ben explained.

"Oh, what if she doesn't want too?" Lucas asked. Maybe there was something wrong with Ben. Something that he could use to get Riley back.

"Then she doesn't have too, its totally up to her. But I want her to keep her options open. Plus, the more stuff you do that shows that you are well balanced really helps with getting into a good school. And I just want the best for my girl you know?" Ben said as he looked Lucas in the eyes. He knew that Lucas and Riley had this unofficial thing. He also knew that Riley would be a tough girl to get over. Although he never planned on letting her go unless it was what she wanted. She was a great girl, and was truly amazing. Lucas realized that he wouldn't get what he wanted. He would have to accept that Riley had found someone that made her happy and thought about her first. If something ever happened, then maybe he would have his chance. But for now he would have to stay friends. And just be there for Riley no matter what.

"Yea that does sound like a good idea. Do you know what else she is looking at joining?" Farkle asked

"She is looking into photography club, and there is a small café in New York that does poetry readings and slams, that she wants to go to." Ben replied. "Hey guys why don't we go join the girls. Maybe make a campfire and have some smores or something. The guys got out of the lake and walked towards the girls. The rest of the night was fun, they had smores, talked, and sang. They group so starting to include both of Riley's groups of friends. She knew that they would not have a camp group and an old school group. They were going to call it a night, and Lucas, Zay, Farkle, and Maya boarded the bus with promises of writing and maybe visiting again before camp was over. That was when Emma found something on the ground, it was a letter addressed to Riley from lucas. She was torn as to what to do, she decided that she was going to read it. She knew that this was an invasion of privacy but she needed to make sure that she was going to protect her friend. She had this unofficial thing with Lucas, and she had now had an official thing with Ben. She needed to make sure that whatever was in that letter, that it wasn't going to hurt her newly found best friend.

Riley,

I have to get right to the point, I am sorry for everything that I did and how much I hurt you by not talking to you for all of those months. Ever since you fell into my lap on the subway I haven't been able to get you out of my head. I don't think that is ever going to change for me. Even when you said that you thought of me as a brother I could not think of you as a sister. You are one of my best friends and one day I want to call you my girlfriend. I really like you Riley and I know that when we tried before that it didn't work but I just think that is because we weren't ready. Maybe we are ready now. I know that you are with Ben and that you like him, but is it ever going to be like you and me? I think that we are destined to be together.

I know that you once said that you wanted a story book, epic romance like your mom and dad had. I think, no I know that we could be that story. I just need you to give me a chance. To give us a chance, I know that I am asking a lot of you, and it isn't fair that I am doing this in a letter. But I would hate myself forever if u didn't tell you how much I really cared for you and possibly love you. I need you to know that I will wait for as long as it takes. And I am here. Just please Riley give me a chance.

Love,

Lucas (Mad dog)

Emma knew that she couldn't throw this away but she couldn't give it to Riley right now. She knew that she would forgive her one day if she found out that she kept this from her to protect her. so that is what Emma would do for now, protect Riley. She was finally happy and she was in a healthy relationship with Ben. She would keep this a secret for now.